Dodge Intrepid R/T Brings New Perspective to R/T Line
6 January 1999
Dodge Intrepid R/T Brings New Perspective to R/T LineDETROIT, Jan. 5 -- The Dodge Intrepid R/T, first shown at the 1999 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, brings a new perspective of performance and handling to the Dodge brand's line of even higher performance cars and trucks. "The Dodge brand is known for its sporty, performance-oriented vehicles that blend passion and practicality," said Jim Julow, Vice President, Dodge Car & Truck Division. "As our interpretation of a modern-day muscle car, Intrepid R/T provides a new level of power to meet the expectations of today's enthusiast drivers who also need a sedan that can comfortably seat five." Performance and Handling Features Building on the "muscle car" heritage of the R/T models, Dodge Intrepid R/T is powered by a 242-horsepower, 3.5-liter, multi-valve V-6 engine. The exceptional output of the 3.5L V-6 is complemented by a high-speed engine controller, which optimizes performance parameters. Equipped with the selectable dual-mode AutoStick(TM) transaxle, Dodge Intrepid R/T provides driving enthusiasts with the choice of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic. A specially tuned performance suspension delivers crisp, capable handling and steering for a refined interpretation of the earlier original R/T models. To match the performance and handling capabilities, Intrepid R/T is equipped with disc brakes featuring larger rotors and calipers with Dodge identification. "New technologies have been engineered into this vehicle to make it more responsive and nimble than any muscle car could have ever achieved in its day," said Julow. "While the straight-line performance of the Intrepid R/T is near that of the original R/Ts." Design and Product Features Positioned as the lead car for Dodge's "brand within the brand" philosophy, the Intrepid R/T's distinctive features give it a bold appearance that underscores the performance definition of the brand. Unique exterior features of the Intrepid R/T include: special aluminum wheels and performance tires, body-color rear spoiler, specially designed R/T logo, dual chrome exhaust tips, enhanced Viper Red paint, fog lamps, unique tail lights with black surround, and white back-up lamps with amber bulbs. "When first introduced, the design of the Intrepid drew on the Dodge brand's performance heritage," Julow said. "While every new Dodge product continues to reinforce the brand's heritage, we have taken the element of performance even a step further with the Dodge Intrepid R/T." The powerful R/T cues of the exterior are reinforced throughout the interior with the leather seats featuring the R/T logo embroidered into each headrest. The interior also features a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. "Dodge Intrepid R/T and our other R/T cars and trucks give us the opportunity to draw on our heritage of performance and capability to create vehicles for those customers who want an even sportier and faster version of what Dodge is all about," added Julow.